Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Tips on Weatherizing Your Home - From the Inside

Over the past few weeks, I've been waking up in the mornings with itching, watery eyes and nonstop sneezes. I've noticed that my baby has been having a similar response, which caused me to look further into a possible cause. I assumed that it was due to the changing of the seasons and allergies from outside. But that didn't really make sense, since this is the time of year when we're spending more time indoors - with closed windows and doors. Well you guys, guess what I learned? The likely cause is airborne pollutants inside of our house. I read that according to the EPA, indoor levels of pollutants may be up to 5 times - and occasionally more than 100 times - higher than outdoor pollutant levels. Apparently the absence of natural ventilation can wreak havoc on indoor air quality, aggravating allergies and triggering serious health problems. Yikes.

In an effort to figure out some solutions, I talked to the kind folks over at Broan-Nutone. They shared some suggested products with me which I'm in turn sharing with you - as seen in this collage that I put together, and in the top two photos, where you can see the products in action. They also passed along some really helpful tips, which I'm posting below.

1. Keep everyone warm - starting with your air. Extra blankets and mugs of apple cider are great ways to stay warm, but so is selecting the proper balanced ventilator for your home. Broan Recovery Ventilators not only supply the home with a flow of fresh outdoor air, they also warm incoming air before it is distributed throughout the house to save energy and prevent unpleasant drafts. Opt for a Broan Heat Recovery Ventilator if you live in colder climates like the Midwest, or a Broan Energy Recovery Ventilator for climates with humid summers and cold winters like the South.

2. Combat indoor allergies. Spring isn't the only season that allergy sufferers have to worry about; indoor allergens like dust, mildew and mold can be problematic during the fall. From cooking to crafting and playing with your pets to simply lighting candles, all kinds of activities can generate airborne particles. Keep the sneezing at bay with the Broan HEPA 100 series, which removes 99.97% of allergens and particles in the air.

3. Keep the leftovers in the fridge. Everyone loves when mom cooks up her famous chili recipe, but no one likes smelling it days later. Broan-NuTone range hoods are designed to quickly and quietly capture air pollutants that can cause damage to your home. From odors to airborne grease, Broan-NuTone range hoods will re-circulate the air or exhaust pollutants outdoors rather than letting them settle inside. With over 50 unique product styles, it's easy to match any kitchen design or aesthetic.

4. Fight the fog. Cooler weather begs for long, warm showers and baths, but trapping all that moisture in the bathroom can lead to humidity-induced mold and mildew. To ensure a bath fan is working properly, turn it on and hold a piece paper up to it. If the fan doesn't suck the paper, it needs to be replaced. Or take a look in the mirror – fog and condensation are key signs the bathroom needs a new fan, like the Energy Star® Most Efficient 2014 NuTone ULTRA Green series.

The overall lesson here is that during a time of year when we're usually focusing on weatherizing home exteriors, we should also be weatherizing our home from the inside - by combating interior dust, mildew and odors with proper ventilation. And it's not just a matter of having a bath fan or range hood, but actually using them correctly. They should be running while people are showering or cooking, but also left on for 10 minutes afterward. I had no idea! I'm looking forward to getting rid of these allergy symptoms by utilizing these tips and seeing which products we might need to implement in our home sooner than later.

Did any of these indoor air quality facts surprise you like they did me? Do you have any other tips on ways to weatherize the inside of your home?

This post is in collaboration with Broan-NuTone. Thank you for supporting Bubby and Bean by allowing us to post occasional sponsored content.